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Europe’s top leagues: 5 storylines to watch for this season

By Clemente Lisi

TURIN, ITALY - JULY 31: Cristiano Ronaldo of Juventus during a Juventus training session on July 31, 2018 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino - Juventus FC/Juventus FC via Getty Images)
TURIN, ITALY - JULY 31: Cristiano Ronaldo of Juventus during a Juventus training session on July 31, 2018 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino - Juventus FC/Juventus FC via Getty Images) /
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Paris Saint-Germain’s Brazilian forward Neymar Jr celebrates celebrates with team mates after winning the French Trophy of Champions (Trophee des Champions) football match between Monaco (ASM) and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) on August 4, 2018 in Shenzhen. (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP) (Photo credit should read ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP/Getty Images)
Paris Saint-Germain’s Brazilian forward Neymar Jr celebrates celebrates with team mates after winning the French Trophy of Champions (Trophee des Champions) football match between Monaco (ASM) and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) on August 4, 2018 in Shenzhen. (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP) (Photo credit should read ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP/Getty Images) /

Neymar’s need for a successful season

The World Cup looms large on the coming European season. Clubs had little time to prepare as some of their biggest stars missed out on a large chunk of preseason training and games.

That means players like Neymar, who had a disappointing World Cup, will need to redeem themselves over the course of the coming months. Widely ridiculed for faking injuries and rolling around on the ground, Neymar went from star to laughingstock in a span of a few weeks while in Russia earlier this summer.

Like Messi, Neymar returns to where he has had the most success, the club level, as PSG look to stroll to another Ligue 1 title in France. Like Manchester City, PSG have spent lots of money not so they can win domestically, but to seriously contend for the Champions League.

Monaco, Marseille and Lyon all strengthened their squads this summer, though it’s hard to see past PSG for the title. Regardless, their primary focus is likely to be the Champions League. If they’re to succeed, Neymar will have to be at his very best.

Under the guidance of incoming manager Thomas Tuchel, PSG have a lineup that also includes strikers Kylian Mbappe and Edinson Cavani. Unlike Neymar, both those players had very positive World Cups, especially Mbappe, who helped France to the title. Those two will need to replicate some of that form this season if PSG are to have any hope of contending for the only title they really wants.

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